Alejandro Balde is facing a race against time to be fit for FC Barcelona’s decisive end-of-season fixtures after the club confirmed the defender has suffered a muscle injury to his left thigh.
The 20-year-old left-back sustained the injury during Saturday’s narrow 1-0 victory over Leganés in La Liga.
Barcelona released a statement on Sunday revealing that medical scans had identified a distal lesion to the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh.
While no official recovery timeline has been provided, Balde is now a major doubt for several key matches as the season enters its critical final stretch.
Spanish media reports suggest the young Spanish–Guinean international could be sidelined for several weeks, a blow that comes at a crucial juncture in Barça’s campaign.
The injury casts significant doubt over his availability for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund, a tie that remains finely poised.
Further concern surrounds Balde’s chances of featuring in the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final against arch-rivals Real Madrid on April 26.
Balde’s absence would be a major setback for manager Xavi Hernández, who has relied heavily on the defender’s pace, width, and defensive reliability throughout the season.
The academy graduate has been one of the standout performers in Barcelona’s back line, making vital contributions at both ends of the pitch.
His injury forces Xavi to rethink his tactical approach, particularly in high-stakes encounters where defensive solidity and width are key.
Barcelona’s statement offered little detail beyond confirmation of the injury: “Medical tests carried out this morning confirmed that Alejandro Balde has a distal lesion of the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh.”
The club has not specified a projected return date, but similar injuries often require several weeks of rehabilitation, depending on the severity.
The potential absence of Balde for the run-in will add pressure to Barcelona’s already stretched defensive resources.
With Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso having also dealt with injury issues in recent months, Xavi may be forced to turn to less experienced options or make tactical adjustments to cover the left flank.
For Balde, the injury comes at an unfortunate time, having recently cemented his position as one of Spain’s brightest defensive prospects.
A consistent performer for both club and country, his dynamic displays have earned praise across Europe and made him a regular inclusion in the national team squad.
Barcelona, still in the hunt for silverware on multiple fronts, must now navigate their most pivotal fixtures without one of their most consistent defenders.
As the medical team works to accelerate Balde’s recovery, the coaching staff will be tasked with filling the void he leaves behind—starting with Tuesday’s showdown in Europe.